WHAT'S IT GOING TO BE?

What book should you read next? What words should you write next? Whether you're a reader, a writer, or both, you need look no further for ideas and pointers to help you make up your mind. You might even get your next book for free--and signed by the author!

Sometimes I even give away my own novels. My Inspirational romances and devotionals are pictured below and are detailed on my Books page. You can always count on a trace of humor in my novels and nonfiction. Whether you're a teen or a woman mature in years, I think these stories will ring true.

Read on, and discover some of today's most appealing Christian novelists, their latest books, and their words of wisdom and imagination. Enjoy!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Caroline Tully finds her wealthy adoptive family, but someone in the family wants her dead and its up to her fake fiancé, bodyguard Donovan Cavanagh, to keep her safe.

Before we talk with today's author, I want to announce that the winner of the signed copy of A Harvest of Hearts, by Laura Hilton, is:

sunny_girl_anna@ . . .

Congratulations! I'll contact you today for your snail mail address, and we'll get your book to you right away. I encourage readers to keep commenting and/or subscribe at right (above my list of books) in order to participate in future book give-aways!

At an early age Terri Reed discovered the wonderful world of fiction and declared she would one day write a book. Now she is fulfilling that dream and enjoys writing for Harlequin’s Love Inspired lines. She is an active member of both Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers.

She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her college-sweetheart husband, two wonderful children, and an array of critters. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, gardening and playing with her dogs.

Please tell us five random things we might not know about you.

--I’ve been a gymnastic coach, a preschool teacher, a bank teller, a receptionist, a sales associate, mother and wife.

--I love almonds, chocolate, strawberries and pizza.

--I lived in Italy as an exchange student when I was eighteen.

--I am afraid of snakes.

--And I hope one day to jump out of an airplane.

I think so many of us writers have a long list of previous jobs, as you do. Story fodder, right?

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of your novel.

A Shocking Revelation

Finding out she is heir to a fortune shocks Caroline Tully to her core. And to “qualify” for the inheritance, she just has to visit her newfound grandfather’s Mississippi home from Christmas to New Year’s.

Adopted as a baby, Caroline knows nothing about her mother’s family...and doesn’t realize they can’t be trusted. When attempts are made on her life, there’s only one man who can protect her. Donovan Cavanaugh—a man who made her lonely heart want to love again.

Posing as her fiancé, Don promises to find the would-be killer. But will his protection-and his love-be enough to keep her safe?

What is it about Don that will make your readers care about him?

Donovan Cavanaugh’s father walked out when he was a boy, leaving a gaping hole in his life. Don joined the military and fought for his country and now suffers with PTSD. When his mother became ill, he came home to care for her until she passed. Don is afraid to love for fear he’ll be a loser like his father and break under the responsibility of a family. It takes the love and determination of a special woman to make him see how far from being like his father he is.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your lead roles?

The heroine would be portrayed by Jennifer Love Hewitt.

And the hero would be Paul Walker.

Many authors—including multi-published authors—have started taking their out-of-print books and even original books straight to e-books, which they’ve essentially self-published. What are your thoughts about the idea? Have you done it, or are you likely to?

I haven’t put up any books, out-of-print or original work. Love Inspired keeps me busy writing for them. I think every author has to decide for themselves. I know some authors have had success with this and others not so much. I can’t predict what the future will hold though I’m keeping myself informed, but have no plans at the moment to venture down this road.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?

I just finished reading Mistletoe Matchmaker by Lissa Manley, a December 2012 release from Love Inspired Romance. This is Lissa’s second book in her Moonlight Cove series. Lissa has an engaging voice, fun characters and a sweet romance set against the beautiful Washington coast in the fictional town of Moonlight Cove.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the third book in my Protection Specialists series. The Doctor’s Defender will be a Fall 2012 release.

Someone wants Doctor Brenda Storm dead and it's bodyguard Kyle Martin’s job to protect the pretty surgeon from a determined killer. Opposites in everyway Brenda must trust Kyle to keep her alive, but can she trust him with her heart?

The book is available at fine book stores and for online purchase via the following buttons:

CBD.com

Finally, what question would you like to ask my readers?

Since New Year’s Day is just around the corner, what is the one thing you hope to accomplish this year? For me, it’s getting through sending my daughter off to college without falling apart.

Thank you, Terri, for visiting with us and telling us about your novel. Readers, Terri has offered to give a signed copy of her book to the winner of our drawing on Thursday, January 5. To enter, leave a comment below in answer to Terri's question, above. "Please enter me" won't get you entered. Leave your email address, in case you win, like so: trish[at]trishperry[dot]com.

Also, if you'd like to enter your name in the drawing for a signed copy of my nostalgic historical novel, Unforgettable, take a look at this post.

Be sure to check out my interview with Joyce Magnin, below. Leave an appropriate comment at the bottom of the post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of her book.

And I'd love it if you'd connect with me on Facebook. Just click on my name at the right of today's post.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. See full disclaimer HERE.

My goal is o be more patient with my elderly mother...i know i can with God's help, but i guess that means one of my goals is to lean more on Him! also, i need to loose some weight, seriously. Also, Terri, i haven't read any of your novels, but was wondering if your time as exchange student show up in them?Thanks for the post and the opportunity to win.

I want to start taking better care of myself healthwise. As mothers, grandmas, etc., we tend to care so much for others that we neglect the simple things we should do for ourselves. I want to start eating better, and doing what I can for optimal health. Would love to read this book!

Pegg, thanks for stopping by. I know sending my daughter off is part of life but it makes me sad when I think about it. But I'm also excited for her.

Organizing is such a task but so worth it. That's one of my hopes for this year as well. My office looks like a bomb went off or someone ransacked the place. Its just my typical work space. Drives my hubby nuts.

Sherree, thanks for stopping by. I think your New Year's goal is a good one. We could all use to be less stressed. I need to make more time for Bible study as well. I love that you facilitate your book club. How fun.

Marianne, yes some of my memories of Italy (where I was an exchange student) showed up in my 2007 book Strictly Confidential. I agree that leaning on God is the first step in reaching any goal. Thank you for stopping by.

Diana, you are so right, as care takers we tend to look to everyone else's needs but our own. Another of my goals for this year is to exercise more regularly. Sitting at a computer for hours on end is not good for the body.

Oh, yes, chocolate and any kind of nut has me reaching for candy and nut jars. This year I want to have my MS 1st draft completed by January 30 and ready for the re-write. I'm entering it in the Emerald City and Golden Heart contests. That's my major goal. And of course, every year, I want to lose 10 lbs and exercise more. Happy Holidays!

This book truly looks like an interesting read. I'd love to win.What I am looking forward to this next year is spoiling my new granddaughter who is two months old. Also hope to go visit my one year old grandson.jrs362 at hotmail dot com

Love Chocolate but try not to eat that much..Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.Because of family problems I feel pulled in all directions so I would love to see my children get their life's together which would help me get my life together.

Terri,It's never easy sending your children off. My son joined the Marines this year. It is never easy sending him off after he has been home on leave. But with great support from family and friends you can do it.The one thing I want to accomplish this year is to finish the two children's books I have started and get them published.Have a wonderful New Year!!

Tonnie, I can only imagine how hard it would be to release my kid to the military. Much different than college. Yet such an honorable vocation. How fun that you're working on children's books. I will pray for your success.Thank you for stopping by.

Next year I need to get back on track with healthy habits; physical and spiritual. This year having two children marry really made for a hectic year. I also hope as I continue with my language lessons I will be communicating with more ease! I love your books, Terri. The Secret Heiress sounds terrific.

Merry, wow two kids marry in the same year. You have had a busy season of life. What language are you learning? As a family we hope to learn Russian. And a friend and me are thinking of learning Italian together.

Jean, have you tried Pilates? I really like the mat classes because they are gentle yet effective. Also Zumba dance exercise is so fun. I think the trick with exercise is finding something you enjoy. I can't stand to get on a treadmill. My husband will only do the treadmill for cardio. So we go to the gym together but don't workout together.

My goal for the new year is to excercise more regularly and to eat more healthily--less carbs all around, since I figured out they are a real culprit for me. I am determined not to say I'm on a diet, but to tell myself it's an eating lifestyle; the minute I forbid myself from eating something, I want it!

Hi Terri! You will NEVER find me jumping out of an airplane. Yikes! I've sent two sons to college. It was hard each time. But it was harder when son #1 joined the Marines after college and went to Iraq. That scared me to death. All I could do was pray for him to come home safe and whole.

I always have a long list of goals for the new year. My top three are: continuing to spend quality time with my husband; finding an effective balance between my day job work life and my writing work life; and making time for regular exercise so I can continue to lose weight and get down to my goal weight.

Happy New Year to you and all your fans. No need to put me in drawing. I always have your books on autobuy before they are released. :)

Maggie, great goals. Balancing writing with the rest of my life is one of my goals as well. Wow, I hadn't thought I had many goals for the new year but apparently I do. I should write them down.Thanks for stopping by.

Even though this is my blog, Blogger keeps deleting my comments, LOL! I'm going to start taking this personally. And I hope none of you are finding your comments deleted . . . if so, my apologies. It's not me doing it!

What I commented earlier was that I had to send my son off to college in 2010. We're really close, and I was sure that, even though I'd eventually be fine, I was going to be horribly depressed after dropping him off and driving away from him. I could easily have dived into depression, I know. But the Lord really held me up, and I'm so grateful for that. Very few tears and just excitement for his future. And mine!

I love seeing all of these ambitions--getting healthier, submitting manuscripts, losing weight, building a stronger spiritual life--and I hope you all meet your expectations. I'm beginning a new day job and my hope for 2012 is that I'll be disciplined enough to make time for my writing during my off hours. I took a break from writing while I job searched, so I REALLY miss it!

We are going to homeschool my oldest son(13) because of being severely tormented at school. Please pray for me to do a great job. That's my focus for 2012.jennydtipton[at]gmail[dot]comCan't imagine dropping of any of my kids for long periods of time. I prayed for you and your son.Happy New Year!

Trish, my daughter and I are close too. I'm sure the Lord will be with her and with me. But I'm not looking forward to the days with out her here. However I know she'll be back for holidays.Congratulations on the new job.

Jennifer, that's heartbreaking! You're doing a good thing for your boy--I would have made the same decision.

Bethany, I'll definitely keep you in my prayers. I know it can feel as if time is passing too quickly (or too slowly, depending upon how you view it) when you're waiting for the one God has in mind for you. But take your time and be as sure as you can possibly be. Marriage can be harder than being alone, if one chooses the wrong person. I pray God will bless you with both discernment and a loving man!

Terri, I have loved all of your books, so I am very much looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win!

I am in school to be a school counselor right now, and my goal is to continue to do well. Also, I am hopeful that, either this year or next, I will finally get to begin working in that capacity. I can't wait!

Hi everyone, We just got home New Years Day evening. I am enjoying being a book reviewer and am part of an on-line book club, both begun in 2011. I would like to continue these and machine piecing and quilting my second quilt with ladies from nearby communities. We meet all day on Tuesdays. On Fridays, I volunteer all day at our community library. I enjoy our church family and our study times together. I began exercise classes M-F for an hour in the mornings at the Y last year I am continuing. Goodness, this sounds like a Christmas letter I don't write. So for my ONE thing, I am enjoying continuing!Happy New Year Blessed 2012.lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net